“No better way is there to learn to love Nature than to understand Art. It dignifies every flower of the field. And, the boy who sees the thing of beauty which a bird on the wing becomes when transferred to wood or canvas will probably not throw the customary stone.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
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Quote
“No better way is there to learn to love Nature than to understand Art. It dignifies every flower of the field. And, the boy who sees the thing of beauty which a bird on the wing becomes when transferred to wood or canvas will probably not throw the customary stone.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde links the appreciation of art with a deeper connection to nature, suggesting that understanding and creating art can lead to a greater love and respect for the natural world. By engaging with art, whether through painting, sculpture, or other forms, one learns to see nature not only as something to be observed, but as something beautiful and worthy of reverence. The transformation of a bird in flight or a field of flowers into a piece of art gives these ordinary elements a sense of dignity and elevation, inviting a more profound appreciation of nature’s beauty.
Wilde also highlights the moral and emotional impact that art can have. He suggests that a boy who has learned to see the beauty of a bird through art may be less inclined to harm or disregard the bird in real life. Art, in this sense, serves as a transformative experience that encourages empathy and respect for the natural world. The boy who appreciates the beauty of nature through art might feel a deeper connection and responsibility to protect it, rather than treating it as something to be exploited or destroyed.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the enduring power of art in shaping not just our aesthetic values, but our ethical outlook as well. Through art, we gain the ability to see the world differently—more beautifully, more compassionately—and thus foster a greater respect for the environment. Wilde’s words remind us that art can be a bridge between human experience and the natural world, offering a deeper, more meaningful connection to the things we might otherwise overlook or take for granted.
